A split decision in Sheffield
Dalton Smith held on to his WBC light-welterweight title on Saturday night, edging Alberto Puello by split decision at the Utilita Arena in Sheffield. It was the first defence of the belt and his 20th win in 20 professional fights.
The cards were tight. Kieran McCann and Jon Llona both scored it 115-113 for Smith, while Ray Danseco had Puello ahead 116-112. A homecoming that was supposed to be a celebration turned into a fight the champion had to earn.
Smith, 29, admitted he let the early rounds drift. “I switched off a little bit in the early rounds,” he told DAZN. He also gave his opponent credit: “We knew it wasn’t going to be a show, he was going to be an awkward opponent.”
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Why the margin was so thin
Puello is a former WBA and WBC champion, and the defeat was only the second of his 27 fights. His only previous loss came against Subriel Matias, the same man Smith beat in New York in January to win the world title. The fight was originally set for June and was pushed back after Puello picked up an injury.
Smith leaned on that résumé afterwards. “These are the best in the world and I’m proving why I’m number one now,” he said. The judges’ split suggests Puello did enough work to keep it uncomfortable until the final bell.
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